Medical Devices Are The Weak Link

For many users of Johnson & Johnson’s OneTouch Ping insulin pump, the benefit of ease of use has been outweighed by the fear of hacking.

In early October, the company sent letters to patients using the devices, alerting them to the fact that the OneTouch contained a cybersecurity flaw that could allow a hacker to reprogram the device to administer additional doses of the diabetes drug, which could be life-threatening.

In its letter to patients, Johnson & Johnson portrayed the risk as minimal. “The probability of unauthorized access to the OneTouch Ping System is extremely low,” it noted. “It would require technical expertise, sophisticated equipment and proximity to the pump.”

A spokesman for the company says it’s working to eliminate the vulnerability; it has laid out a series of steps patients can take to reduce the risk, such as turning off the pump’s wireless connection to a blood-sugar meter, or setting a limit on the amount of insulin that can be delivered.

The announcement is yet another stark reminder of known security issues that exist with medical devices, widely used by both providers and patients. Indeed, this is not the first time concerns have surfaced about the ease of hacking medical devices.

In mid-2015, the Food and Drug Administration took the unprecedented step of alerting users about cybersecurity vulnerabilities of the Hospira Symbiq Infusion System. The agency strongly encouraged healthcare facilities to discontinue use of the pumps.

And the FDA is not the only federal agency shining a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of medical devices. In 2014, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a report that predicted hackers could assail medical devices, and followed that up with an alert last year warning companies and the public about cybersecurity risks to networked medical devices and wearable sensors.

The threat to patient safety carries the biggest shock value, and healthcare organizations are widely concerned about those risks.

But the devices also pose risks to the networks of healthcare organizations, because they typically have weak defenses against malware and a medical device could serve as an easy entry point to providers’ internal data networks.

Security experts and federal officials say the devices could become the focal point of a perfect storm for compromising healthcare data security and placing patient safety at risk. That’s because the vulnerability of devices to cyber-attacks is well known, and hackers are becoming emboldened to find new ways to attack healthcare organizations.

Most security professionals are worried about the vulnerability of a myriad of networked medical devices that have Internet connectivity, from infusion pumps and X-ray scanners to picture archiving and communications systems, blood gas analyzers, medical imaging devices, medical lasers, life support equipment and many more.

These devices are expensive and last a long time, and providers may have them in place for five, 10 or 15 years or more, says Axel Wirth, healthcare solutions architect for Symantec. Software running the devices may be years old as well, and typically not easily protected by cyber defense software. 

What’s more, in many cases the devices are managed just by the manufacturer’s technicians, not a provider’s IT security staff.

Information Management:                  Medical Devices Vulnerable to Hackers:
 

« UK National Cyber Security College Locates To Bletchley Park
War In The Information Age »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

Tines

Tines

The Tines security automation platform helps security teams automate manual tasks, making them more effective and efficient.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Exeon Analytics

Exeon Analytics

Exeon Analytics is a Swiss cyber security company that is specialized in detecting hidden data breaches and advanced cyber attacks.

International Accreditation Forum (IAF)

International Accreditation Forum (IAF)

The IAF is the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies. Its primary function is to develop a single worldwide programme of conformity assessment.

National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) - USA

National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) - USA

National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association is the leading national organization focused exclusively on the fight against health care fraud.

Key Cyber Solutions

Key Cyber Solutions

Key Cyber is an IT consulting firm that specializes in agile software development services, program management and infrastructure services, cyber security and cloud and managed services.

EYE Security

EYE Security

EYE provides enterprise-grade cyber security services and cyber insurance to SMEs in Europe, Cyber Incident Response and strategic advice in board rooms.

Keysight Technologies

Keysight Technologies

Keysight is dedicated to providing tomorrow’s test technologies today, enabling our customers to connect and secure the world with their innovations.

ServerScan

ServerScan

ServerScan specializes in providing server scanning & compliance services to organizations of all types and sizes.

Matrixforce

Matrixforce

Matrixforce is a vetted IT support provider that uses the patented Delta Method of streamlining technology for financial and professional service firms to reduce complexity and avoid risk.

ORS Consulting

ORS Consulting

ORS Consulting is a specialist provider of risk management advisory services supporting asset-intensive industries such as chemicals, energy, power and utilities, defence and maritime.

Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) - India

Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) - India

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology is an executive agency responsible for IT policy, strategy and development of the electronics industry.

CyberGate Technologies

CyberGate Technologies

CyberGate Technologies is a world-class, customer focus cyber security service and consultancy company operating the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

IBM Security

IBM Security

IBM manufactures and markets computer hardware, middleware and software, and offers hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology.

Mitigo Group

Mitigo Group

Mitigo offers a well considered and effective approach to keeping businesses completely secure from any digital attacks.

Virtual IT Group (VITG)

Virtual IT Group (VITG)

VITG is a cyber security-focused Managed Service Provider (MSP).

Gibbs Consulting

Gibbs Consulting

Gibbs Consulting provides innovative, flexible, on-demand IT Services and IT Consulting that delivers value and successful outcomes for our clients.

Minsait Cyber

Minsait Cyber

Minsait Cyber (formerly SIA Group) is the Indra Group's cybersecurity company, a leader in Spain and Portugal in terms of both revenue and expert talent, with more than 2,000 specialists.